Copley, who is also on the board of directors at the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA), lept to his teammates defence during a press conference on Wednesday.

While he confirmed he wouldn't be taking the stance as Cartwright, he believes that his teammate has every right to take the stance he has.

"My position is that it's his decision," Copley said to reporters.

"He's well and truly able to have the freedom to decide what goes in his body and what doesn't.

"The rules we're under is that he was able to sign a waiver and still play.

"Whilst that's the position of the NRL, I think he has every right to do that and there's no way I'd be forcing someone to get an injection they don't want to get.

"That's completely up to him and that's a decision for him and his family to make."

Copley confirmed that the RLPA supports the position that if a player signs a waiver agreeing to the risks of not taking the flu shot, that they would then be allowed to play.

The outside back also stated to reporters that he had the flu shot but couldn't speak on other teammates at the Titans.

"Yeah I got the flu shot," Copley said.

"All I know is that I got it and Bryce didn't.

"I think that it's pretty important to note that he isn't the only one in the NRL that has said he won't have it.

"My guess would be that the majority got it, but I wouldn't have a clue, that would be between them and their doctor."

Copley called out the criticism Cartwright has received for his stance but said that the backrower was keeping his head down and focusing on training.

"It's certainly an issue that is pretty divisive in the community and there's a fair few political things attached to that I suppose," Copley said.

"I dare say Bryce has had a pretty ordinary couple of days because of the media coverage he's been seeing.

"He seems fine, as we all are, we're happy to get into a bit of routine again, we're happy to be back training again.

"It's been pretty well publicised his stance on that so we're very comfortable with him in this group, it was more the media jumped on it and blew it out of proportion."

Copley was asked about Scott Morrison's potential 'no jab, no play' policy applying to the NRL and was firmly against that policy being implemented in rugby league.

He said he would be more than happy to back up Cartwright if that policy was to be implemented.

"I'd certainly throw my support behind Bryce," Copley said.

"I think ScoMo's got his political parties a bit mixed up there, the Coalition are the ones that are supposed to try and fight for our freedoms.

"It's a crazy issue, it's very divisive, but I've always been a supporter politically of freedom of choice and not encroaching on personal liberty, so I'm more than happy with Bryce to make his own decision in that regard."